Month: September 2025

Birmingham Promise Welcomes 45 New Interns This Fall

Posted on September 22, 2025

This September, Birmingham Promise proudly welcomed 45 new interns, all seniors from Birmingham City Schools, into placements across the city. From courtrooms to nonprofits to tech companies, these students are gaining real-world exposure while sharpening skills that will carry them well beyond high school.

Each intern also participates in more than nine hours of professional development, equipping them with the tools to thrive in any environment. Our ultimate goal is to build long-term economic vitality by ensuring students graduate not just with a diploma, but with the confidence and transferable skills needed to succeed.

Our internship team works tirelessly to make each placement a memorable, life-shaping experience. This marks our second year offering internships during both the fall and spring terms, made possible by the continued support of our dedicated employer partners.

Applications for the Class of 2027 open on October 1, 2025, and will be sent directly to students through their school Outlook email accounts for students to apply around that time.

Finding Faith in the Future: Torey Kelly’s Path Forward

Posted on September 22, 2025

Torey Kelly’s story is one of redemption and resilience. After completing his freshman year of college, he faced an unexpected setback. Without stable housing, he returned home to reconsider his next steps. During this time, his Success Coach, Jasmine Conner, guided him through the uncertainty and encouraged him to keep moving forward. Torey recalls emailing her after seeing a WBRC news article about Birmingham Promise and its work to help students not only graduate from college but also to explore career pathways that don’t require a bachelor’s degree.  

Fortunately, Torey was later connected with Dianna Gray, Work-Based Learning Student Success Coach. With her guidance, he secured a job, mapped out his career options, and eventually enrolled at Lawson State Community College, where he is now pursuing an associate degree in cybersecurity and computer science.

Through Birmingham Promise’s nontraditional approach, Torey developed a clear plan that balanced financial stability with his long-term goals. Along the way, he earned a role with our employer partner, O’Neal Steel, gaining valuable work experience to complement his studies.

Torey credits much of his progress to Dianna’s mentorship and Jasmine’s advice. Their commitment to helping him navigate educational, financial, and personal challenges gave him the stability he needed to move forward with confidence.

Torey’s journey reflects the mission that is central to all of Birmingham Promise’s work, providing the financial and coaching support to help students succeed regardless of the career pathway they choose. 

“The Birmingham Promise team motivated me to stay focused,” Torey said. “It’s a well-rounded program that helps the younger generation of Birmingham believe that success is within reach and possible.”

Torey says he lives by a favorite quote and hopes other students will also find strength in it:

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” – Helen Keller



Birmingham Promise receives $1 million in CAFE Group’s Luminary Awards

Posted on September 18, 2025

Birmingham Promise Executive Director Samantha Williams has won a national award that will provide $1 million to support scholarship and internship programs for students at Birmingham City Schools.

The CAFE Group announced today that Williams is among five winners of this year’s 1954 Project Luminary Award, which goes to leaders at organizations that are working to transform educational outcomes in Black communities.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for Samantha, and it is a true reflection of the caliber of leadership she has provided for Birmingham Promise,” said Danny McKinney, chairman of the Birmingham Promise board of directors. “We are proud of this award and grateful to The CAFE Group for supporting and helping us uphold the vision of Birmingham Promise.”

Named for the year of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, The 1954 Project is The CAFE Group’s flagship initiative dedicated to fulfilling the promise of equitable education in the United States. Its Luminary Award winners receive $1 million in unrestricted funding for their programs and join a network of innovators transforming education across the country.  https://www.thecafe.org/meet-the-2025-luminaries

“These leaders represent the breadth of innovation happening across the education ecosystem,” said Tiffany Thompson, Chief Impact Officer of The CAFE Group. “Together, this new class strengthens the infrastructure for lasting change and pushes us closer to a future where educational opportunity clears the way for every child to thrive.”

Williams said she is thrilled to be included among this year’s winners, and she is especially thankful for a significant investment that will help Birmingham Promise increase the number of college graduates from Birmingham City Schools, provide students with pathways for good jobs and meaningful careers, and sustain Birmingham Promise programs going forward.

“It is an incredible honor to be selected as a Luminary,” Williams said. “This is a testament to how powerfully our mission and students’ achievements resonate, reaching national donors who have hundreds of organizations and leaders to choose from. I couldn’t be more excited for this partnership and the support and opportunities it will provide.”

Birmingham Promise covers up to four years of tuition in public Alabama colleges and universities for all Birmingham City Schools graduates. To date, Promise has provided more than $15 million in tuition assistance to more than 1,600 graduates of Birmingham City Schools. It has also provided internships to more than 350 Birmingham City Schools seniors to allow them to build career networks and job skills

Applications for Birmingham Promise scholarships and for spring internships will open Oct. 1 for current seniors at Birmingham City Schools.

 About Birmingham Promise: 

Birmingham Promise provides up to four years of tuition assistance for graduates of Birmingham City Schools who attend public colleges and universities in Alabama. It also manages a paid internship program that allows high school seniors to build valuable work experience. For more information on Birmingham Promise, visit http://www.birminghampromise.org/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About The CAFE Group:

The CAFE Group is a nonprofit reimagining how philanthropy operates. They invest in visionary leaders, early-career talent, and the infrastructure of social change, aligning capital, growing networks, and cultivating love as a strategy for lasting impact. To learn more, visit https://www.thecafe.org.

KPMG supports Birmingham Promise with grant to boost student access to education

Posted on September 4, 2025

Birmingham Promise has been selected to receive a grant from the KPMG U.S. Foundation as part of a program promoting education, mental well-being and vibrant communities.

Birmingham Promise will receive installments totaling $112,500 over three years.

“We are thrilled to partner with KPMG,” said Samantha Williams, executive director of Birmingham Promise. “This grant will go far toward providing scholarships for Birmingham City Schools students, while also opening up meaningful opportunities for KPMG to support our mission and community.”

Birmingham Promise covers up to four years of tuition in public Alabama colleges and universities for all Birmingham City Schools graduates. To date, Promise has provided more than $15 million in tuition assistance to more than 1,600 graduates of Birmingham City Schools. It has also provided internships to more than 350 BCS seniors to develop job skills and career connections.

The grant is part of KPMG’s nationwide initiative to provide more than $2 million this summer to organizations that are helping to build healthier communities for all through education and other programs.

“Birmingham Promise is creating life-changing opportunities for local students by expanding access to education and workforce experiences,” said Casey Bartok, KPMG Birmingham Office Managing Partner. “We’re proud to collaborate with them through this grant to help strengthen pathways to college and career success for Birmingham’s next generation.”

About Birmingham Promise 

Birmingham Promise provides up to four years of tuition assistance for graduates of Birmingham City Schools who attend public colleges and universities in Alabama. It also manages a paid internship program that allows high school seniors to build valuable work experience. For more information on Birmingham Promise, visit http://www.birminghampromise.org/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About KPMG

For more information on KPMG, visit KPMG U.S. Foundation and Corporate Responsibility.